Adding 8x39w Sunpower to my SB Reef Lights

[Dlealrious]

Hi Guys
I am thinking about adding a T5 unit to my existing LED lights. Tank size is 1100mm x 900mm x 450mm and 6 months old. I dont get enough spread due to width of tank, pretty much par drops off a fair bit on the edges and i will want to add more corals on the outer edges soon as i will run out of room after adding a few more frags. T5 unit would go in the middle of the tank and LED on the outside. Do you think this is overkill? Tank is going to be SPS only, all LPS will eventually come out once i buy more acros.
I was also thinking of maybe adding 2 x Radion or Hydras or Illumagic Blaze
units down the middle.
SB lights are great but i really dont like the blue colour if gives, i just dont find my corals pop like they do under cheap ebay light on frag tank or when i see others peoples tanks with T5.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The lights should be giving you plenty of intensity. Each should be about 600 par at 12in. And yep the hot spot is in the middle.

How far does the par drop on the edges?
A measurement at the top of the water is fine.

How far above the tank are the lights?

Myself , I’d consider a little more distance between the two lights.
I’d also consider pullling some lenses as well.
I’m not sure you’d get 8 tubes in there. Depending on how high over the tank the lights are , adding a few tubes will help a bit, but too high it’s not really worth adding just a couple of tubes.

 

[happyhourhero]

You should be able to cook corals with just the SB. I would do either just them with some alterations that salty suggested or just switch to t-5 if you prefer. You can adjust the blue to get all the pop you want. I found the SB made corals pop far more than eBay lights but that’s just me.

 

[Dlealrious]

The lights should be giving you plenty of intensity. Each should be about 600 par at 12in. And yep the hot spot is in the middle.

How far does the par drop on the edges?
A measurement at the top of the water is fine.

How far above the tank are the lights?

Myself , I’d consider a little more distance between the two lights.
I’d also consider pullling some lenses as well.
I’m not sure you’d get 8 tubes in there. Depending on how high over the tank the lights are , adding a few tubes will help a bit, but too high it’s not really worth adding just a couple of tubes.

Light are 14 inch above water, Par drops off pretty much at the end of the rocks on left and right of the tank, at the tabling acro i get 120 Par, problem is i dont want to up the lights as im getting 300 par in the middle already so will scorch these corals if i up it.. Lights are no doubt powerful enough its just the spread isnt the best. I found when lenses are removed PAR drops off a cliff though, maybe just takings some out will help. When you say adding T5 too high what kind of height are you referring to? I was only going 8 as its not alot more than 6, was going to only run 6 tubes. I would also go a retro fit option of maybe 4 tubes down the middle.

 

[Dlealrious]

You should be able to cook corals with just the SB. I would do either just them with some alterations that salty suggested or just switch to t-5 if you prefer. You can adjust the blue to get all the pop you want. I found the SB made corals pop far more than eBay lights but that’s just me.

I have been playing with them but just cant get the pop i want, currently running max at 65%B 25%W 60%Moon and then most of the day on 30%b 25%w 40%Moon. Its so good being able to measure PAR though to see what you are actually blasting your corals with.
Any suggestions to try for lighting intensities.

 

[Dlealrious]

I have been playing with them but just cant get the pop i want, currently running max at 65%B 25%W 60%Moon and then most of the day on 30%b 25%w 40%Moon. Its so good being able to measure PAR though to see what you are actually blasting your corals with.
Any suggestions to try for lighting intensities.

15%w not 25%

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Light are 14 inch above water, Par drops off pretty much at the end of the rocks on left and right of the tank, at the tabling acro i get 120 Par, problem is i dont want to up the lights as im getting 300 par in the middle already so will scorch these corals if i up it.. Lights are no doubt powerful enough its just the spread isnt the best. I found when lenses are removed PAR drops off a cliff though, maybe just takings some out will help. When you say adding T5 too high what kind of height are you referring to? I was only going 8 as its not alot more than 6, was going to only run 6 tubes. I would also go a retro fit option of maybe 4 tubes down the middle.

Basically 12-14+. Is consider too much.

Interesting you say it drops off a cliff. We have folks here running zero lenses and growing acros.

I’ve bee avoiding pulling the rest of the lense form one of mine to test.
Just the hassle of putting em em back. Lol.

Modest report about 20% loss give it take.

 

[Dlealrious]

Basically 12-14+. Is consider too much.

Interesting you say it drops off a cliff. We have folks here running zero lenses and growing acros.

I’ve bee avoiding pulling the rest of the lense form one of mine to test.
Just the hassle of putting em em back. Lol.

Modest report about 20% loss give it take.

Basically 12-14+. Is consider too much.

Interesting you say it drops off a cliff. We have folks here running zero lenses and growing acros.

I’ve bee avoiding pulling the rest of the lense form one of mine to test.
Just the hassle of putting em em back. Lol.

Modest report about 20% loss give it take.

I may need to try again, i did this a while ago and im pretty sure it went from 300 odd to 100 odd and had to run lights at a higher %. Im in the same boat as you though, dont want to remove all the lenses as it takes ages!!
Did you remove all the lenses or just a few?
I did try and order 120 lenses but never got a response, i live in Australia so calling the store is a little bit of a pain.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Uggg. Internet ordering.

I belive you can get the same ones from eBay and China.

And I just left some white and blue with the lenses on. Just to keep some shimmer.
The light has got the hot spot in the midddle
Like most do, to have the punch in the middle for the bottom of the tank. So might consider removing from there.